Backyard halfway done. Most importantly I can still access my drum smoker.
136 cubic yards in the backyard needing first year lag phase what is a person to do in the meantime?
Organic compost in place container gardening that's what! Faced with the prospect or a year of lag before the nitrogen system gives positive returns once again I am putting my hoard of coffee grounds and other scraps to use.
$5 18-gallon plastic storage totes from walmart. 1/4 inch holes drilled a few inches above the bottom of the containers retains water for bottom up wicking and drains excess safely if totes left on ground directly tree roots will invade the drain holes. This way roots trying to get to holes will naturally air prune.
Lids cut in preparation for the application of Tulle, a synthetic wedding veil like fabric. It repels insects, birds, and even rodents whose claws end up sticking and grabbing in the material and freaks them out and they try to immediately escape.
4 bolts will get you a lifetime supply at just over $8 a bolt, shipping included. Each bolt is 54" wide and 120 feet long (40 yards)
Store on ebay
Emerald green blends into garden or Red if you wrap melons or gourds and want to easily spot them. Wrap seed heads, drape over fruit, tie a necktie around papaya trunks, tie up delicate stems to a structure, the uses are endless. Never throw away as there is plenty of reuses in the garden for old Tulle.
Everyone gets one, kids and mom included.
Lasagna stack brown and greens. I will do woodchips to the drain holes then greens, lawn clippings since I don't spray poisons on my lawn, then shredded paper, cardboard, any non glossy color junk mail, used coffee grounds and then kitchen scraps including bones an if you ask yes you can add meat. Then if you don't have good compost you don't worry buy the cheapest potting mix from the big box store, the compost soil you will make composting in place in the tote will end up superior to any bag at the store.
Then plant your seeds directly in the mix and water. Yes do not wait for any composting to start you can plant immediately in the mix. If you don't plant be sure to still water as you are feeding the microbes and when you do plant it will be better.
I cover the top of the mix in woodchips to prevent UV radiation sterilizing the top of the soil mix after the seeds have sprouted.
Tulle is glued or zip tied to the lid. The Tulle lid protects the seeds while they germinate from birds, rodents an insects. After sprouting the Tulle lid continues to protect the seedlings as they grow larger.
When the plants are large enough remove the lid and store in a safe place for the next time you need the lids.
If you want continued protection you can place stakes in each corner of the tote. Then wrap Tulle around the stakes creating an enclosure tent around your growing container.
If you don't like to bend over simply place the tote on a plastic chair or an object of similar height and you can container garden while standing with no bending over.
Now, can I be happy with just five containers to garden in, that is the question
Life is good!
Edit: For those placing containers on chairs you can have a bottom drainage hole and place a bucket underneath. This captures the microbe rich compost tea and you can add water to it if needed and scoop it up and pour it back into the same tote continuously cycling nutrients throughout the tote system.
